Robert Libke memorial: Oregon City officer honored as a hero, 'friend to many'

Oregon’s law enforcement community turned out by the hundreds today to honor one of their own, joined by thousands of residents who lined the route of a procession or attended a service at Portland’s Memorial Coliseum to honor Robert Libke.

Speaking at Libke's Celebration of Life, Oregon City Police Chief James Band described the four-year reserve officer as "an outstanding officer and a great friend to many of our
employees, always a smiling face in the hallway." Band said Libke "made us proud. … He made us
look good."

Band also said that he believed Libke's intervention on Nov. 3 saved lives as he responded to 911 calls about a house fire and gunman at large at the scene. One nearby resident was home alone with her two grandchildren when her neighbor, Lawrence Cambra, arrived and started pounding on her door. Band said that Libke's arrival diverted Cambra's attention from the woman, resulting in his own death. Authorities believe Cambra set his own house on fire, then fatally shot Libke when he responded to the scene.

As Band spoke, a flag-draped casket containing Libke’s body rested at the foot of the stage, flanked by honor guards. The 2-hour program included a video presentation, remarks by family members and presentation of the Medal of Ultimate Sacrifice.

The 41-year-old Oregon City Reserve Officer was fatally shot Nov. 3 while responding to reports of a house fire and gunman at large.

He is the first Oregon City police officer killed in the line of duty in more than a century and the 177th in Oregon history. He is survived by his wife, Wendy, who is pregnant with the couple’s second child.

Donations

The Clackamas County Peace Officers' Benevolent Foundation has established a fund at Clackamas Federal Credit Union to benefit the family of Officer Robert Libke.

Contributions may be made at any branch or by mail to P.O. Box 426, Oregon City, OR 97045. Make checks payable to CCPOBF and write Officer Robert Libke Fund in the memo line.

The day’s events began with family members escorted by hundreds of public safety and emergency-response vehicles in a procession from Oregon City.

Libke grew up in Portland and graduated from Marshall High School in 1991. He worked as a general supervisor at Evraz Oregon Steel in Portland while training with Oregon City police to become a full-time officer. He started volunteering in 2009 as a reserve officer in Oregon City.

Friends and family members described Libke as a born leader with a strong sense of duty. He enjoyed hunting, camping, cross training, running, golf and serving his community.

On Nov. 3, Libke was posthumously awarded the Medal of Valor, Purple Heart, and the Distinguished Service Medal and Chief's Medal of Merit from the Oregon City Police.

Today's service was organized with help from the Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation, founded in 2011 by several Oregon law-enforcement honor-guard commanders and coordinators.